Amid mounting accusations over poor service delivery by the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM), customers of the power utility body in Balaka on Wednesday, 11th March, 2026 summoned ESCOM officials to explain factors that are contributing to their poor services. 

During the meeting that lasted for about four hours, the customers accused ESCOM of being too slow to respond to reported faults and make new connections. 

Chairperson of the governance thematic group under Balaka Civil Society Organizations Network, Charles Sinetre said sometimes it takes more than a week for ESCOM to fix a fault. 

He said as for new connections, some applicants have taken more than five years to get electricity despite meeting all the requirements. 

"We are also worried that the persistent power blackouts are heavily affecting health service delivery at Balaka District Hospital and we are humbly asking ESCOM if there can be a possibility of connecting the district hospital to a special line so that the facility which deals with human lives, is not affected by the blackouts, " said Sinetre. 

ESCOM's Chief Public Relations and Communications Officer, Pilirani Phiri described the concerns raised as valid. 

Phiri attributed some of the challenges to transport constraints and shortage of critical materials such as poles but he was quick to mention that ESCOM is committed to improve on its responses to faults and delivery of other services. 

"Let me also inform our prospective customers that the new electricity connection applications that remained unattended following the conclusion of the MEAP Project will be addressed under the upcoming ASCENT Project," said Phiri. 

DC for Balaka Bibu Yusuf Mdala who also attended the meeting said the interface was important to both the customers and ESCOM. 

He said the customers openly and freely expressed their concerns while ESCOM officials highlighted the challenges that are affecting their operations.

Officials from the District Council, business operators, members of the Civil society Organizations, police officers and other citizens in the district attended the meeting.